Calgary Quick Facts

The modern city of Calgary is a sprawling metropolis that extends over 700 sq km, boasting more than 1 million inhabitants. Calgary is a destination for its proximity to world-class skiing, hiking, climbing, fishing as well as for its cultural events which include the world-famous Calgary Stampede. Calgary’s economy is diverse but dominated by large agricultural and oil and gas sectors. Calgary’s high-tech and tourism industries continue to expand and their share of the Calgary economy is becoming ever larger.

Geography and Climate

Calgary is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The Bow and Elbow rivers flow through the city and provide drinking water and recreational opportunities for residents. Nose Hill park and Fish Creek Provincial park encompass over 24 sq km and are just two of the hundreds of parks located inside the Calgary Metropolitan area. Winters in Calgary tend to be relatively mild with frequent Chinooks or warming periods. During a Chinook, temperatures can reach the mid teens in any of the winter months and the average high for January (Calgary’s coldest month) is just -2 Celsius. Summers are relatively dry and sunny with highs frequently reaching the twenties and low thirties.

Annual Average Temperatures

Month:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Recreation and Sports

There are two major ski resorts located within an hour and a half drive from Calgary. Sunshine Village resort and Lake Louise boast 246 runs and over 7000 acres of skiing, combined. As well, Sunshine receives thirty feet of snow each year. Nakiska is another resort near to Calgary (81km from Calgary) and Canada Olympic Park is located within city limits, allowing residents to get a few turns in after work or school. The Bow river offers world class trout fishing within an hour drive from Calgary and its many tributaries provide for solitary opportunities, for fisherman who desire a more natural experience. Canmore (103km from Calgary) and Kananaskis (80km from Calgary) are epicenters for all types of outdoor activities including sport climbing, mountaineering, ice climbing and mountain biking. For golfers, Calgary, Canmore and Kananaskis have a number of world-class golf courses and courses suitable for golfers with a range of abilities.

Culture and Entertainment

Calgary is, of course, home to the Stanley Cup winning hockey team, the Calgary Flames. With forty home games per season, Flames fans will have plenty of opportunity to view their favourite team in action. Calgary is also home to an internationally recognized ballet (Alberta Ballet) and philharmonic orchestra (Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra). Three major venues, including EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts, Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium and the Scotiabank Saddledome offer residents the opportunity to view concerts, theatre and other popular entertainment.